Question

Pyruvic acid, the key product of glycolysis can have many metabolic fates. Under aerobic condition it forms

• A. Ethanol $+C{O}_2$
• B. Lactic acid
• C. Acetyl $CoA++C{O}_2$
• D. $C{O}_2+H_{2}O$

Answer 1

The correct option is D $C{O}_2+H_{2}O$

Fate of pyruvic acid under aerobic condition :

Pyruvic acid gets converted to acetyl $CoA$ which then enters the $TCA$ cycle where it releases in the form of carbon dioxide and eventually at the end of $ETS$ it forms water.
Hence, $C{O}_2$ and water are the end products.

Fate of pyruvic acid under anaerobic conditions :

Under anaerobic conditions, due to insufficient oxygen, pyruvic acid gets converted to lactic acid in animal muscle cells and ethanol in yeast cells

Final answer : $C{O}_2+H_{2}O$